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The Daily Nightly began on May 31, 2005. As Brian wrote in his first post it aims to provide a narrative of the broadcast day and a window into the editorial process at NBC Nightly News. Brian weighs in every weekday and NBC News correspondents and producers post regularly.

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Name the announcer

Posted: Sunday, December 16, 2007 7:14 PM by Sam Singal

On Monday, December 17, "NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams" will debut a new, very special announcer who will introduce the program and Williams nightly.

Who will it be?

Here's a hint.  The announcer has had a rich, extensive, award-winning theatrical career for nearly forty years. 

Make sure to listen carefully at the beginning of Nightly News and send us your best guess as to who it is.

We will reveal the announcer's identity at end of Monday's broadcast.

Good luck!

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Comments

I take it back.  Michael Douglas is who it must be.

David S. Calef, Spofford, NH (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 6:51 PM)

Howard Reig was announcer for the Nightly News for 25 years. It was strange to hear the opening done by Michael Douglas. No offense meant to Douglas...it would have sounded strange from any other voice. Howard dedicated 61 years to the company, and as his biggest fan and daughter, I was disappointed (to say the least) that such a remarkable career was barely acknowledged. Thank you to Brian Williams for his kind words.

Kathryn Reig, Roseland, NJ (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 7:00 PM)

That was a let down...but I supose in the whole scheme of things in 3-4 weeks this will all be forgotten!

mainah (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 7:01 PM)

Why would NBC hire Michael Douglas to announce the news cast?  Give the job to someone who needs the money!

Deb Osting Platteville, Wi (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 7:03 PM)

Howard Reed has a much better voice than Michael Douglas.Dump Douglas and go back to Reed.

Rick Doty (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 7:05 PM)

This household is truly disappointed with the choice of Michael Douglas for the Nightly News voice. It shows a total lack of management imagination. The classy thing to do would have been to have asked an NBC News personality - perhaps Tom Brokaw - still in good voice. Your old introduction was classy. this one is an embarassment.

And by the way, Douglas gave you a lousy reading. If you've paid the money, and are paying residuals, and have a contract, at least get another more authoritative reading. What you have is terrible.

Dick Hubert, Rye Brook, New York (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 7:06 PM)

Sorry  Brian
 Swing and a miss on this one . Michael Douglas is a fine actor but for this job he comes in a distant second to Howard Reig (or James Earl Jones or Patrick Stewart etc...)

James Moran (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 7:06 PM)

The "great" Michael Douglas????  Why give more publicity and, probably, money to him?  Why not find a young, struggling actor with a deep, resonant voice, or a young struggling actress with a melodic voice, and give him/her a break and a chance?  Disappointment describes my feelings about your excitement in whom you chose.

Skip S, Narragansett, Rhode Island (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 7:07 PM)

it should have been Tom Brokaw. He was what made NBC Nightly News. Shame on NBC for not chosing him

Josh Parsippany NJ (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 7:10 PM)

Ok so it is Michael D, but something is missing.  The voice lacks depth, volume, tone.  Sound like he is just reading from a page.  It needs more feeling.  Come on Mike, all those Oscars and this is the best you can do  ?

NBC, keep Mickie but bring him back in for a
re-take.  

Martin Allen North Andover MA. (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 7:10 PM)

What a collosal disappointment.  Wonder who he had to bribe for that gig?

MJ Huey, Cape Coral, FL (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 7:11 PM)

Brian,
Your former announcer sounded exactly like my uncle Bill who died over 40 years ago. Every night when I tuned into your show it was a familial reminder. Happy to hear the Michael finally "got work." Our whole family enjoys your show...including Michael.

Allan, Judith, & Tevye Mandell Nashville TN (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 7:12 PM)

  So your liberal left bosses decided to get Michael Douglas to intro your 'Nightly News', how appropriate.
  I will no longer be turning on NBC for ANY reason. And I've been a watcher since the '60's. Keep turning left and you'll join 'Air America' in total viewers.

Crittenden (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 7:13 PM)

OK, so you've gone with Michael Douglas (though the old guy was much better).  But, PLEASE, re-record it with the diphthong in the word "news."  It is not pronounced "nooze."  It will set my teeth on edge every night until you correct it.  I may actually go elsewhere!

Martha Putnam Sites, 40 Mead Street, Somerville, MA 02144 (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 7:13 PM)

Michael Douglas it is, and his voice is flat and lacks any expression.  Bad choice.  Why the change?  Trying to stop paying the other guy royalties for using his voice?    Sorry about this all of you Brian Williams worshipers, but this is just one more instance of the way things have gone steadily down hill since Brokaw retired.

John Done, St. Louis, MO (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 7:19 PM)

Properly pronounced, "News" does not rhyme with "booze". Michael Douglas does a poor job in his deadpan monotone, announcing (what once was) the most prestigious newscast in the country. Your "decades long" announcer's delivery was elegant, eloquent; now Douglas' schelp brings us yet another example of how society, and reflecting it, broadcast news, are dumbing down...

John Chickering, Rockford, Michigan (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 7:23 PM)

You can't be serious...Michael Douglas??  Surely there are numerous unemployed people with rich, resouding, voices who need the money much more than Mr. Douglas. Yes, I have always enjoyed his theatrical performances but I hope he is donating his salary to a charity!!!

Patricia Cochran, Ewing, New Jersey (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 7:23 PM)

Why not Howard Reig? Michael didn't cut it. Can't wait to hear you on "EXTRA" Brian.

Bill Hamill,Glocester,RI (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 7:26 PM)

I don't like Michael Douglas doing this job at all.  What is wrong with the way it was?  I can understand wanting to change things to keep them current, but come on.  Some things are better left alone

Leigh (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 7:29 PM)

excuse me but i fear you have made a big mistake! michael douglas does not have an announcers voice. i thought nbc would have enough sense to put tom brokaw in as your announcer. tom can talk to me anytime.  but  brian williams is the only one that could replace tom so i will continue to watch nbc nightly news as i have done for many many years. nbc is the best.

Pam StJohn Glade Spring Va (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 7:34 PM)

I'm a big Michael Douglas fan.  That is, Michael Douglas as an accomplished actor.  But, Michael Douglas as a voice over announcer isn't a star.

It's really poor. Embarrassingly so!

A local station would never chose an audition tape sounding this way.

Well NBC News, you got your publicity, but I'm afraid we're all stuck with you terrible mistake!

Gary Press, New York, NY (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 7:39 PM)

Using Michael Douglas as the announcer for Nightly News marks a historical low point for this program.  This Multi-Millionaired actor offers no special magic and certainly doesn't need the gig. This is a snub to all the professional working class voice talent available here in New York City. Celebrity as news continues down its insidious path. Perhaps Nicole Kidman can promo the Today Show.

A.S., New York City (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 7:40 PM)

For more information on former Nightly News announcer, Howard Reig, visit www.HowardReig.com

Kathryn Reig, Roseland, NJ (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 7:46 PM)

Michael Douglas? He says "NBC Nightly Nooz." Not an inspired choice.

Jerry W. (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 7:51 PM)

Where is Fred Facey's voice?

Brian N.. Lutherville, MD (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 8:00 PM)

I just finished listening to Brian Williams announce that the "new, special announcer" is none other than Michael Douglas.  PLEASE!!!  There was no "oomph" to his voice and he sounds very boring!  Did you guys have to pay him and if so, how much?  Couldn't you have found an "unknown" to carry on this rich tradition?  Maybe someone who could have used the money (if, in fact, you are paying him.  I'm very disappointed and really don't relish having to hear Michael Douglas every night! You need to take a poll.......

Dinah Slaughter, Alton, MO (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 8:08 PM)

george clooney is my guess. he's doing a lot of commercials. he's good, nice voice.

elaine riley,reidsville,nc (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 8:08 PM)

NBC News you made a big mistake. How can you allow a classic to be taken over by a person that cannot pronounce the program that he is suppose to annouce. If anything you should get Tom Brokaw. Remeber Mr.Douglas will be anouncing NBC NEWS SPECIAL REPORTs NBC NEWS election coverage etc. You may lose a household of viewers because of it

Josh Parsippany NJ (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 8:12 PM)

I think Douglas is a fine choice. I probably would have liked Brokaw better, but given the trend of hiring younger and younger announcers, this could have turned out much worse than the above commenters are making all of this out to be. Stick with it NBC...people will get over it.

Jamie Diamond, Atlanta, GA (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 8:19 PM)

You people are a bunch of whining emos. I think Mr. Williams is entitled to pick a new person to introduce him. Do you really care that much?????? Don't you have more important things to get so worked up over??

Dad Sp33k (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 8:31 PM)

Couldn't NBC find anyone in your own organization rather than a celebrity who certainly doesn't need the position.  It is disgusting and besides Douglas is not good as other announcers. I will change to ABC at 6:30 PM

Robert Pisani (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 8:31 PM)

Good Grief!  Doesn't Michael Douglas have enough money?  Why can't rich and famous stars share some of the jobs with others who actually need a job?  I get so tired of seeing and hearing the same ol' people.  

Nancy Collier, Roper, NC (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 9:00 PM)

Michael Douglas is a poor choice.  He does not have the voice to be a good announcer.-- "I don't think he is much of an actor either."

g.eglesias'pennsylvania (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 9:40 PM)

The opening of your program now lacks any sense of urgency or class.  You can hardly hear the music in the headline bed, there is a cartoon of NBC News World Headquarters instead of the live shot of the building, and now Michael Douglas.  How disappointing.  By the way, why are you changing the announcer now?  (Please do not say it is because you have been using a recording for a couple of years, Michael’s voice is a recording too.)

Cory Carlisle, Bellingham, Washington (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 10:57 PM)

What a disappointment! His diction is poor ("nooz"), his voice has no resonance, and even his reading of the line is flat and uninteresting. How could you have waited two years for this?? And couldn't your producers coach Douglas--a fine actor--to utter something more shapely and aesthetically pleasing, something with a little oomph and energy, something that makes viewers sit up and take notice of what they're about to watch?

I'll miss the rich, fruity tones of Howard Reig. He knew how an announcement should sound.

Judith Stein, Long Branch, NJ (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 11:15 PM)

Whoa, what a major letdown!  I'm sorry Brian but Mr. Douglas was a really bad choice.  I was hoping for Tom Brokaw but anybody else would have been a much better selection!  How about Sean "007" Connery.  His voice for the intro would be a great conservative version of your SNL intro.

Please, retire Mr Douglas' intro ASAP!

Byron H., Rowland Heights, CA (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 11:41 PM)

That intro tonight by Michael Douglas sure was fun! Now can we get back to using Howard Reig's voice?

Or is it now official, NBC has flown over the cuckoo's nest?

Joe, Menlo Park, CA (Sent Tuesday, December 18, 2007 2:33 AM)

Michael Douglas is a poor replacement for Howard Reig.  Why replace Mr. Reig anyway?  Even in retirement, his nightly intro was one of the few reminders of NBC's once proud tradition.  
MacDonald Carey has been dead 15 years, but his intro to Days Of Our Lives remains.
The peacock has lost another feather.

Susan Sherman, St. Paul (Sent Tuesday, December 18, 2007 8:11 AM)

Dear Brian,

I'm sorry, but I couldn't believe the voice that was chosen and it had nothing to do with his being a celebrity. The voice should not only get your audiences attention, but inspire confidence that what is to follow is important...Michael's voice just doesn't do that in my opinion.

I will be submitting a tape of my announcing the show for your review.

Poppi, Charlotte, NC (Sent Tuesday, December 18, 2007 8:33 AM)

Michael Douglas?...the multi-billionaire?...Why is he not lying on a foreign beach somewhere sunbathing, instead of screwing up the first 20 sec. of our beloved, looking forward too watch, Nightly News.  Please send him to the beach w/pay.  I'll do it for nothing.

Diana Fleenor, Rogersville, TN (Sent Tuesday, December 18, 2007 11:02 AM)

Michael Douglas is a very disappointing choice.  This validates the intrusive celebrity obsession.  A better idea would be to allow individuals to submit tapes or  allow the local NBC affiliates to record the opening voice-over from people who choose to participate.  The person's name and city could be placed at the bottom of the screen each night.  Many years of tapes could be quickly accumulated.

Mary/David Livonia, MI (Sent Tuesday, December 18, 2007 11:20 AM)

I just found out the voice is that of Michael Douglas. Wow, this writers strike is worse than I thought. First it was Leno then Letterman out of work. Now it's poor Michael Douglas who is working part time doing voiceovers. Well, at least the pay is good and there's no heavey lifting!

John Dudek (Sent Tuesday, December 18, 2007 11:50 AM)

Michael Douglas must be looking for work or was this a political decision? Harry Belafontane would have been much better and memorable.
Quoting Brian William's tired over-used phrase, "as always", thank you
Emad

Emad, Brooklyn, NYC (Sent Tuesday, December 18, 2007 1:48 PM)

I think you could have done better than Michael Douglas, there were much better choices than him.

Shelley Gray. Atlanta, ga (Sent Tuesday, December 18, 2007 1:57 PM)

Who cares? Seriously - how much did you have to pay Michael Douglas, and for how many years?  I would think that the money would have been better spent on people whom REALLY NEED the money to feed, clothe and keep their families warm.

Donna, Adairsville, Georgia (Sent Tuesday, December 18, 2007 3:28 PM)

michel douglas

john doe (Sent Tuesday, December 18, 2007 5:57 PM)

Brian,
What were you thinking?  Did Michael need the money?  It's hard to believe that he sounds so pasty...whimpy...that hunk of man sounds feminine..My neighbor, husband and I fainted.  It sounds terrible.  Sorry for you both.  I will be watching another chanel that sounds like business instead of nothing.

Joy Charleston (Sent Tuesday, December 18, 2007 6:43 PM)

I think it's terrible that you picked Michael Douglas.His voice isn't stong and what does he have to do with news?I would think the news is getting like the national enquier.

Diana barber (Sent Tuesday, December 18, 2007 7:18 PM)

Mr. Williams, Why did you replace Mr. Reig's voice?How did Mr. Reig feel about that.  No offense to Mr. Douglas, but I prefer the original announcer- Mr. Reig!     Mr. Williams (& Co.), if it ain't broke, don't fix it.  

Becky Lewis, South Bend,IN. (Sent Tuesday, December 18, 2007 7:51 PM)

Michael Douglas? What were you guys thinking??????

Pete Higgins, Monroe, La (Sent Tuesday, December 18, 2007 7:54 PM)



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